Tariffs Strain Art Transactions 💰, Tiny Plein Air Works 🎨, Tips for Still Life Arrangement 🏺

And other stories from this week in the realism art movement

Feb 14, 2025

Trump Tariffs Could Be the 'Kiss of Death' for Art Transactions

The art industry faces significant challenges, including sales slowdowns, devastating fires, and proposed tariffs impacting international trade. Experts warn that these tariffs could increase costs for collectors and small galleries, potentially discouraging art purchases and complicating logistics.

👩‍🎨 Artist Features

Have Our Hands Ever Left the Soil? An Interview with Artist Tuere Lawton

Tuere Lawton presents her debut solo exhibition, "Have Our Hands Ever Left the Soil?" at Picture Theory, highlighting themes of identity and community through her oil paintings. Lawton's works, such as "The Rite," evoke nostalgia for girlhood and familial connections, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences. The exhibition runs until February 14, 2025.

Melting Away With Haejin Yoo

South Korean artist Haejin Yoo explores themes of identity and introspection in her work, mainly through her acclaimed "Woman in the Bath" series, which won her the 2nd Prize RAYMAR Traditional Art Award in the 2024 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize. The series reflects on personal experiences, including motherhood and the challenges of masking traits on the autism spectrum, using the bathroom as a sanctuary where one can shed facades. Yoo, a self-taught artist, emphasizes the fluidity of identity and plans to experiment with new materials and smaller works in the future, inspired by recent insights into her own life and artistic journey.

Alexis Rockman Paints Humanity’s Final Season

Alexis Rockman's exhibition, "Naples: Course of Empire," at Magenta Plains explores the impact of the 17th-century plague on Naples through a series of paintings that blend realism with abstract elements. Rockman evokes the chaos of the pandemic era, drawing parallels between historical and contemporary experiences of disease and decay while referencing Thomas Cole's "The Course of Empire." The ambitious work suggests that humanity may be the larger plague, challenging viewers to reflect on civilization's past and future.

🎨 Learn

Painting a Study from a Forgotten Master

Jeff explores the techniques of Solomon J. Solomon in this hour-long painting study, packed with insights on representational painting from the late 1800s. This is the first of 10 demos in the Online Phase Advanced Figure Painting series, offering valuable lessons for artists looking to refine their approach.

Big Lessons from Tiny Paintings by Poppy Balser

Poppy Balser emphasizes the importance of experimentation and freedom in painting through the practice of creating small studies. She recounts her journey from watercolors to oil painting, noting that smaller canvases allow for risk-taking and play without the fear of failure. Balser encourages artists to produce many works, learn from each piece, and not to treat every painting as precious, advocating for a more relaxed and exploratory approach to art.

7 Tips for Arranging a Compelling Still Life - Realism Today

This article offers design tips for creating impactful still life paintings, emphasizing the importance of intention, contrasts, lighting, and eye movement. It encourages artists to view their compositions not just as collections of objects but as cohesive scenes that communicate a narrative or theme. By considering elements such as placement, repetition, and format, artists can elevate their still lifes into powerful works of art.

📚 History

Caravaggio masterpiece painted in Naples rather than Sicily, researchers suggest

New research indicates that Caravaggio's painting The Adoration of the Shepherds was created in Naples rather than Sicily, as previously believed. Art historian Vincenzo Sorrentino discovered a payment receipt in the Bank of Naples archives, confirming that the Capuchin Franciscan fathers commissioned the work while Caravaggio was living in Naples during his exile. This finding suggests the artist's influence on local painters and highlights his ability to command high prices for his work.

Art Institute of Chicago Gains a Neoclassicist Trove

The Art Institute of Chicago received a significant donation of about 2,250 French artworks, primarily drawings, from collectors Jeffrey and Carol Horvitz. This collection, considered the largest of its kind in the US, includes notable pieces from the Neoclassicist movement as well as works by Rococo and Romantic artists. The Horvitzes aim for their collection to remain intact for public enjoyment and scholarly research.

💼 Opportunities

Apply Now for IDSVA’s Non-Studio PhD in Visual Arts: Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory

The IDSVA invites applications for its PhD in Visual Arts: Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory, set to begin in September 2025. This low-residency program combines online education with global residencies in cities like Rome, Venice, and New York, allowing for a unique learning experience. Interested candidates can contact the admissions director for more information and apply through the IDSVA website.

💰 Auction House

Museum Scoops Three Masterpieces by Overlooked 18th Century Portrait Painter

The National Museum of History and Art in Luxembourg has acquired three paintings by 18th-century French artist Monique Daniche, including a portrait of Catherine Hubscher, known as “Madame Sans-Gêne.” This acquisition aims to enhance the museum's collection of historical art by women. Daniche, whose life remains somewhat obscure, gained recognition for her work with high society in Strasbourg, and further research is underway to uncover more about her and her subjects.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Classical Realist.

Best regards,
Fletcher Graham